Methods of converting monochromatic night vision or other electro-optical viewing devices to potray a full-color video image and video imaging apparatuses and devices embodying such methods

Abstract

There is featured a video-imaging apparatus that includes an electro-optical viewing device including a plurality of filters selectively positioned at a light input end of the viewing device and a video imaging device positioned at a light output end of the viewing device, that outputs video signals corresponding to light coming from the light output end. Also included is a filter determining mechanism that determines which of the plurality of filters is disposed at the light input end for particular light coming from the light output end and that provides an output signal of the determined filter and a display device that processes the video signals and the output signal of the determined filter so that a color image is displayed on a display of the display device.

1 . A video-imaging apparatus comprising: 
 an electro-optical viewing device including a plurality of filters selectively positioned at a light input end of the electro-optical viewing device;    a video imaging device positioned at a light output end of the electro-optical viewing device, that outputs video signals corresponding to light coming from the light output end;    a filter determining mechanism that determines which of the plurality of filters is disposed at the light input end for particular light coming from the light output end and that provides an output signal of the determined filter;    a display device that processes the video signals and the output signal of the determined filter so that a color image is displayed on a display of the display device.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where each of the plurality of filters is configured so as to filter different band passes.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of filters filter light in the visible and/or infrared ranges.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-optical viewing device has a substantially monochromatic output in the absence of the filters.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-optical viewing device is a night vision device.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters are selectively rotated at the light input end during use.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters are configured and arranged so as to form a first set of filters and wherein said first set is connected to a shaft that runs substantially parallel to an optical axis of the electro-optical viewing device.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the shaft rotates or oscillates during use of the device.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first set of filters rotate by manual action.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the first set of filters rotate by a motorized system.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters are mounted on a first wheel, and the first wheel rotates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electro-optical viewing device optical axis during use.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters comprises at least two filter elements, each element being a different color.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein a first filter element is red and a second filter element is one of green or blue.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising three filter elements, where a first filter element is red, a second filter element is green and a third filter element is blue.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of filters comprises first and second filters, each of the first and second filters being disposed at the input end of the electro-optical viewing device such that incoming light from an object or scene being viewed successively passes through the first and second filters.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second filters are each rotated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electro-optical viewing device optical axis during use.  
     
     
         17 . A method of converting a monochromatic light to portray a full-color video image, comprising the steps of: 
 viewing a scene with a viewing device having a light input end and a light output end;    selectively and repetitively filtering light to the light input end of the viewing device using a plurality of filters;    viewing the light coming from the output end of the viewing device and outputting signals corresponding to the light coming from the light output end;    determining which of the plurality of filters is disposed at the light input end for particular light coming form the light output end of the viewing device; and    creating a color image of the scene being viewed using the signals being outputted corresponding to the light coming from the light output end and the determination of which filter is disposed at the light input end.    
     
     
         18 . The conversion method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of displaying the created color image of the scene.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of filters for said selectively and repetitively filtering are configured so as to filter different band passes.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein: 
 said selectively and repetitively filtering includes one of rotating or oscillating each of the plurality of filters past the light input each of the viewing device.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein: 
 said plurality of filters includes a plurality of sets of filters, each set comprising at least one filter;    wherein said selectively and repetitively filtering light includes selectively and repetitively filtering light incoming from the scene so the incoming light successfully passes through each set of filters; and    wherein said determining includes determining which of the filters comprising one of the plurality of sets of filters is disposed at the light input end of the viewing device.